How do I use the leader key to create my own keyboard shortcuts?
let mapleader = ' ' then nnoremap <leader>key command
The leader key is a configurable prefix for your custom key mappings.
All Vim Tricks
How do I search for a pattern only when it's preceded or followed by another pattern?
/\(pattern\)\@<=target or /target\(pattern\)\@=
Vim supports zero-width assertions (lookahead and lookbehind) in its regex engine.
How do I use LSP for go-to-definition, references, and refactoring in Neovim?
gd / gr / <leader>rn with nvim-lspconfig
The Language Server Protocol (LSP) brings IDE-level intelligence to Neovim — go-to-definition, find references, rename symbol, and more.
How do I insert a Unicode character by its code point in Vim?
<C-v>u{code}
In insert mode, followed by u and a 4-digit hex code inserts the Unicode character with that code point.
How do I jump to a specific column number on the current line?
{N}|
The command (pipe character) moves the cursor to a specific column number on the current line.
How do I quickly jump between a small set of frequently used files?
Harpoon: mark files and jump with <leader>1-4
Harpoon by ThePrimeagen provides instant access to a curated list of files you're actively working on.
How do I see all search matches highlighted as I type the pattern?
:set incsearch hlsearch
The combination of incsearch and hlsearch gives you live, interactive search highlighting.
How do I delete characters, words, and lines without leaving insert mode?
<C-h> / <C-w> / <C-u>
Vim provides three levels of deletion directly in insert mode, so you don't need to switch to normal mode for small corrections.
How do I write and edit a macro as text instead of recording it live?
Write keystrokes in buffer, then "qy$
Instead of recording a macro in real-time (where mistakes mean starting over), you can write the keystrokes as text in a buffer, edit them visually, and then ya
macros #macros #editing #registers #workflow #best-practices
How do I edit a complex Ex command in a full editing window?
q: or <C-f> from : prompt
The command-line window (q:) opens a full Vim buffer containing your Ex command history.
How do I use Vim as an inline calculator with the expression register?
<C-r>=expression<CR>
The expression register ("=) evaluates Vimscript expressions and returns the result.
registers #registers #insert-mode #expression #calculator #vimscript
How do I chain multiple commands on lines matching a pattern with :g?
:g/pattern/cmd1 | cmd2
The :g (global) command can execute multiple Ex commands per matching line by chaining them with .
command-line #command-line #global #ex-commands #batch-editing #advanced
How do I switch to a buffer by typing part of its filename?
:b partial<Tab>
The :b (buffer) command accepts partial filename matching with tab completion.
How do I change the case of text using operators and motions?
gU{motion} / gu{motion} / g~{motion}
Vim has three case operators that work with any motion or text object: gU for uppercase, gu for lowercase, and g~ for toggle case.
editing #editing #case #operators #text-objects #normal-mode
How do I configure Vim to share the clipboard with my system?
:set clipboard=unnamedplus
Setting clipboard=unnamedplus makes Vim's default yank and paste use the system clipboard.
How do I override plugin or filetype settings that load after my vimrc?
~/.vim/after/ftplugin/{filetype}.vim
Vim's after directory (~/.
How do I use the alternate file register to quickly reference the previous file?
"#p or <C-r># in insert mode
The # register always contains the name of the alternate file — typically the file you were editing just before the current one.
How do I write autocommands that don't duplicate when I reload my vimrc?
augroup name | autocmd! | autocmd ... | augroup END
Autocommand groups (augroup) with autocmd! prevent duplicate autocommands from accumulating every time you source your vimrc.
How do I always access my last yanked text regardless of deletes?
"0p
Register 0 (the yank register) always contains the text from your most recent yank command — and unlike the unnamed register, it is never overwritten by delet
How do I send commands from a Vim buffer to an embedded terminal?
:term then <C-w>N for normal mode
Vim 8+ and Neovim have a built-in terminal emulator that runs inside a buffer.
command-line #command-line #terminal #workflow #productivity